Haryana’s groundwater crisis: 88 of 143 blocks have been overexploited
In Haryana 88 of the 143 blocks being classified as overexploited, the state of the groundwater resources has gotten to a critical point.
According to data from the Ground Water Cell, formerly of the Agriculture Department but now affiliated with the Irrigation Department, of the remaining blocks, 11 are in the critical category, nine in the semi-critical category, and just 35 are in the safe category.
The authorities state that extraction of groundwater up to 70% is safe, extraction between 70% and 90% is semi-critical, extraction from 90% to 100% is critical, and extraction above 100% is over-exploited.
Seven of the eight blocks in the Karnal district have been classified as overexploited. The data also shows that the remaining seven blocks—Assandh, Karnal, Gharaunda, Munak, Nissing, Nilokheri, and Kunjpura—apart from the Indri block, are overexploited.
In addition, overexploitation is found in three blocks in Ambala, four in Bhiwani and Faridabad, two in Charkhi Dadri, five in Fatehabad, Jind, Yamunanagar, Sonepat, and Gurugram, one in Hisar, seven in Kaithal and Kurukshetra, six in Mahendragarh, two in Mewat and Palwal, and six in Panipat, Rewari, and Sirsa.
According to the government, groundwater resource estimation was previously carried out every five years, but it is currently done annually and accounts for recharge from irrigation, rainfall, recharge structures, ponds, and withdrawals by consumers.
The Ground Water Cell measures the water table in June and October, respectively, before and after the monsoon, using sensor-based piezometers, excavated wells, and public health tubewells.
Experts believe that the sharp decline in groundwater levels is a result of inadequate water management techniques coupled with the use of flooded irrigation in agriculture, which started in 1999–2000 and is facilitated by submersible pumps.
“The water table has dropped dramatically as a result of submersible pumps. Another major issue for the future is the overuse of groundwater resources. Drip irrigation is preferable than flooded irrigation for farmers, according to Dr. Mahavir Singh, assistant hydrologist at Ground Water Cell.
He emphasized the necessity of enacting more stringent water use laws, encouraging the use of less water in farming practices, and expanding the number of groundwater recharge and rainwater harvesting systems.
In addition to educating farmers and the public about the importance of conserving groundwater, the Irrigation Department and Ground Water Cell are also putting several programs into action, such as the Jal Shakti Abhiyan, National Hydrology Project, and Atal Bhujal Yojana.
In an effort to conserve water, Singh also urged farmers to plant crops other than paddy.
Experts attribute the cause to flooding irrigation
Experts believe that the sharp decline in groundwater levels is a result of inadequate water management techniques coupled with the use of flooded irrigation in agriculture, which started in 1999–2000 and is facilitated by submersible pumps.
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